Arts & Entertainment
Luck of the draw
New Logan Circle gastropub finds retro inspiration
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Ever since Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections (ACKC) closed on 14th Street this year I’ve been peeking in the windows of the space to see what may be happening there. A couple of months ago a visible transformation began occurring and The Drafting Table (1529C 14th Street) was slowly revealed to the Logan Circle neighborhood.
Originally, The Drafting Table was supposed to be named Woody Creek, the name proposed by the winner of a Going Out Guide poll and agreed upon by owner Aaron Gordon. However, Gordon’s primary designer, Andrew Christenberry stumbled upon mid-20th century drafting tables while searching for furniture for the space and the theme was completely overhauled. Now the space is full of sleek warm wooden drafting tables and chairs and the theme trickles all the way down to the menus, which are printed on drafting paper. One of the most dramatic elements is the six foot handcrafted wooden architecture compass mounted to the wall that Gordon says was, “completely his [Christenberry’s] idea. He thought of it, he built it by hand and it complements the space perfectly.”
My introduction to the atmosphere and food of The Drafting Table was at its media event on Oct. 16. We were assigned tables with platters full of food featuring their pickled veggies with “Greek green goddess” dressing and their chacuterie plate.
We then had time to mingle with other food writers (in between taking photos of the food) and sample beers from their in-depth list. As we were seated, a very interesting dish was presented to us — the Kaya Toast, which many of my fellow writers had already been talking about. It has the makings of a signature dish for this neighborhood gastro pub with its thick and crusty toast, rich sweet coconut jam and creamy egg cooked sunny side up and served on a plate with soy broth that introduces saltiness to the mix. Make sure to mix it all together in order to experience the full range of flavors. This is definitely a “don’t-knock-it-‘til-you’ve-tried-it” dish.
Following the appetizers we were offered our choice of the draftsman burger, the herb roasted chicken or the falafel. All of us at the table made sure that the three dishes would be represented and we passed them around so we could try them. The plates put together by head chef, Ciji Wagner, were strong and well balanced. Then it was time for dessert and chocolate puddin’, grilled pound cake and homemade Snickers pie all made their way to the table. The chocolate puddin’ was the strongest of these three, but that may just be the comfort factor talking, since it reminded me of a Jell-O Puddin’ Pop.
I left the media dinner satisfied, but wondering what a non-media event would be like at The Drafting Table, so a few days later I returned for brunch with my husband. The brunch was much more laid back with tables full of people relaxing instead of rushing. The wait staff also moved at a more relaxed pace.
I was disappointed to see no unlimited mimosa on the brunch menu, but the rest of the menu seemed to offer typical brunch fare. The “sexy breakfast sandwich” caught my eye and Greg chose the French toast with apple compote, which he described as “good, just not great.” I was blown away by my breakfast sandwich, which turned out to me more messy than sexy, but tasty nonetheless. The sunny side up eggs were flavored by the herb aioli and warmed by a healthy portion of roasted red peppers, then some prosciutto was piled on top and I was in heaven.
As Gordon said, “People love something new in the neighborhood and they seem to be enjoying ‘The Drafting Table’ as their new neighborhood pub.” The Drafting Table is an excellent addition to Logan Circle offering an eclectic mix of pub food and beers. This is one of the first (of many) welcome additions soon coming to the 14th Street corridor for lunch, dinner, snacks and brunch.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 17
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
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